DUI Accident Victims

Los Angeles DUI Accident Victim Lawyer

Driving under the influence is clearly a negligent act. Any driver who becomes intoxicated and chooses to drive a vehicle puts every other driver on the road at risk of injury or even death. With the infamous heavy traffic in Los Angeles, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a surefire way to cause a serious accident. There is a high incidence of traffic accidents occurring as the result of a drunk driver. Because alcohol is a depressant, it slows down a person’s central nervous system functioning and creates many different impairments that can affect safe driving abilities. Unfortunately, despite knowing the serious risks of drunk or drugged driving, millions of people continue to get behind the wheel while impaired and cause serious injuries and even death to thousands of people each year in the United States. While the Los Angeles County criminal court system will typically punish a drunk driver who caused the accident, it does little to compensate victims of DUI accidents the driver caused.

Suffering an injury in an accident due to someone’s negligent or illegal behavior can quickly change your life. You may find yourself physically unable to work or even care for yourself. You can quickly become overwhelmed with medical bills on top of your regular monthly bills. You may find yourself needing ongoing medical care and rehabilitation to try to have a normal life again. The Los Angeles drinking and driving accident victim attorneys at Injury Justice Law Firm LLP can help you obtain maximum compensation from those responsible for your injuries, which can help you get your life back on track. Our lawyers have a track record of success in obtaining substantial damage awards for many victims. See our blog: How a Serious Personal Injury Can Affect Your Life.

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident that was caused by a drunk driver, you have the right to hold that driver responsible for your injuries and losses. Our experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorneys have the legal knowledge and experience to represent drunk driving accident victims and seek the maximum amount to which you are entitled under California law. Please do not wait to call Injury Justice Law Firm today if your life has been changed by an impaired driver. Our attorneys will aggressively pursue compensation for your injuries. See our blog: What To Do If Injured In An Accident Caused By A Drunk Driver.

The Dangers of Impaired Driving

Driving a motor vehicle while impaired or while under the influence of drugs or alcohol can produce some or all of the following effects:

Impaired state of mind

Altered depth perception

Blurred vision

Slowed reaction time

Impaired judgment

Lessened focus and concentration

Impaired awareness of surroundings

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can result in some or all of the following consequences:

Collisions with pedestrians (especially at intersections, on curbs, or on concrete medians)

High-speed collisions with other vehicles, often head-on crashes

Collisions with motorcyclists or bicyclists that the impaired driving did not notice

Holding Drunk Drivers Accountable

After an accident, law enforcement officers often will place a suspected drunk or drugged driver under arrest. This can then lead to a criminal case against the driver and, if they are convicted, they may have to pay fines, have their license suspended, or even spend time in jail. While a criminal case imposes penalties on the driver, it often does little to compensate victims that the driver injured in a crash. Our attorneys can help you seek the compensation you deserve from the liable driver in a case that is separate from the criminal proceedings.

Depending on the severity of your injuries, it may be possible to receive an insurance settlement from the drunk driver’s insurance company that is adequate to cover your losses. The civil court system in California allows victims to recover financial compensation for the injuries and other damages caused by a drunk driver. Our personal injury lawyers can pursue a claim to obtain financial compensation for your injuries, lost wages from work, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and property damage. If the driver responsible for the crash was legally intoxicated, our attorneys can also pursue punitive damages for the injured victim. Punitive or exemplary damages can greatly increase the amount of compensation a victim could will receive. The purpose of these type of civil damages is to financially punish to responsible driver and make an example of an under the influence driver who caused the collision. See our blog: Traffic Law Violations Causing Serious Car Accident Injuries.

Dealing with Insurance Companies

If you are the victim in a driving under the influence accident, don’t speak with an insurance adjuster without first consulting a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer at our law firm. It’s critical to remember the goal of the insurance company is to pay you the least possible amount of financial compensation. It’s not uncommon for insurance representatives to encourage you to agree to a quick and cheap settlement offer. Our law firm will negotiate with the insurance adjuster and present evidence of liability on the part of the insured driver to seek to resolve the case in this manner whenever possible.

In some cases, it is necessary to move the case to civil court in order to recover the full amount you deserve for your losses. While this case is separate from the criminal charges faced by the driver, a DUI conviction can make proving your personal injury claims significantly easier. Our attorneys know how to utilize criminal convictions to obtain a favorable result as efficiently as possible.

Recovering for Your Drunk Driving Accident Injuries

Drunk driving accidents are likely to cause serious injuries and damages to innocent accident victims. Some of the most common injuries caused by drunk drivers in crashes include the following:

Soft tissue injuries (especially to the neck and back)

Traumatic brain injuries and head trauma

Fractures and broken bones

Spinal cord injuries

Facial and skull fractures

Internal hemorrhaging

Injury to internal organs

The above injuries require proper medical diagnosis and sometimes an extensive course of treatment. Injured plaintiffs in drunk driving car accident cases often incur substantial losses and may be able to recover for some or all of the following types of damages as part of their recovery:

Medical expenses

Lost wages

Costs of future treatment

Future lost earning power

Pain and suffering

Permanent disability

Permanent disfigurement

Mental and emotional injuries

Wrongful death

Contact a Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney

Our Los Angeles personal injury law firm is dedicated to helping clients recover the maximum amount of financial compensation. Our experienced lawyers will work to protect your rights and pursue your best interests, not the insurance company. We can relieve you of the heavy burden of dealing with an uncooperative insurance company while you can put your focus on recovering from your injuries.

Anyone who has sustained injuries due to a drunk driver should seek skilled legal representation as soon as possible. At Injury Justice Law Firm, our personal injury lawyers have proven their commitment to standing up for the rights of impaired driving accident victims and we will seek the maximum amount of compensation available in your situation. We are skilled negotiators who will aggressively work to achieve a full and fair settlement. However, if the opposition party is not willing to make a reasonable offer, our trial lawyers are certainly willing to litigate the personal injury matter in court to obtain fair compensation for you.

Consultations with our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers are always free and we will advise you of your legal rights and options and pursue financial recovery whenever possible. Please do not hesitate to call our office or contact us online today for help.